Last Updated on November 14, 2024
Visas and Travel Permissions
Almost every country requires foreign nationals to hold immigration permissions in order for them to enter the country. Immigration status documents, like visas, grant conditional entry and stay in a destination country for specific government-approved activities and purposes.
The rules and permissions of each immigration status vary based on the conditions established by authorities within each country’s government. These conditions often result from:
- Current and past diplomatic relationships between governments;
- Overarching historical trends of immigration or
- Desire to encourage tourism and travel for economic purposes.
Visa Exemptions Today
Today, visa permissions and visa exceptions are based on the following:
- Nationality
- The applicant’s home country immigration status, and
- Other personal background details.
A traveler’s nationality and background can impact the processing time of immigration permissions and authorizations, dictate the places they can travel to, and even influence the documents required for travel. Many countries have introduced visa exemptions to travelers who have a nationality of a country that has established a good diplomatic relationship with the receiving country or otherwise fit into a desirable category to allow for easier travel and entry.
The definition of authorized work varies by country, which in turn influences the type of visa category a foreign national must apply for. Most often, foreign nationals must also gain other forms of approval from government entities before arrival. However, an entry visa for business visitors (or an exemption) may be sufficient for many business activities, such as attending meetings or receiving brief training.
What is a Visa Exemption?
A visa exemption, sometimes called a visa waiver, allows foreign nationals from select countries to enter another country without requiring an entry visa for limited activities. In some countries, such as Thailand and Indonesia, visa-exempt foreign nationals must apply for a visa on arrival. However, these travelers often benefit from simplified entry procedures and reduced wait times for eligible travelers.
Other countries, such as Canada and New Zealand, require some visa-exempt foreign nationals to obtain electronic travel authorization (eTA). The United Kingdom and the European Union also plan to launch electronic travel authorization systems for visa-exempt travelers.
Visa-exempt business travelers are most often permitted stay permissions between 15 days and 90 days. The period of stay and activities allowed under the visa can vary greatly by country and the traveler’s nationality.
Processing Times
While some travelers are permitted visa exemptions to enter countries for tourism and business purposes, visa-required travelers must apply for a visa and typically tolerate processing wait times. Visa processing times vary depending on a wide array of factors.
Countries with the Most Visa Exemptions by Region
*Note that the average processing time is an approximate timeline.
Envoy Global maintains information on business visa exemptions for travelers and estimated government processing times for visa-required nationals who file for short-term business travel permissions. Below are three countries whose citizens can enter many countries without requiring an entry visa.
Entry conditions and terms differ depending on the destination country and the traveler’s background. Envoy’s Global Team helps clients determine which visa is most appropriate. Envoy Global’s team can outline the required documents and how to navigate the immigration process.
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Envoy is pleased to provide you this information, which was prepared in collaboration with Brendan Coggan, who is the SVP of Global Services at Envoy Global and a Founding Partner at Corporate Immigration Partners.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.
